E-Mail Scams Claim Homeland Security Ties

There's a new string of e-mail scams claiming to be part of the US Homeland Security Office, one sent to families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraqand another related to funds looted from the Iraqi Central Bank by Saddam Hussein's son.

Federal authorities are investigating two e-mail scams, including one targeting families of soldiers killed in Iraq, that claim to be connected to the Homeland Security Department.

Both of the online pleas for help — and money — link themselves to the bureau.

In one scheme, e-mail sent to families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq include a link to the bureau's Web site. The e-mail seeks to recover money from a friend of the slain soldier.

In the other, the e-mail identifies itself as being sent by a federal agent trying to track down funds looted from the Iraqi Central Bank by Saddam Hussein's son. The e-mail also links to the bureau Web site and asks for confirmation of the recipient's address by urging, "There is a very important and confidential matter which I want us both to discuss."

The bogus e-mails resemble the so-called "Nigerian letter." In that persistent scam, victims are presented with an opportunity to receive nonexistent government money, often from the "Government of Nigeria," as long as they pay a fee often characterized as a bribe to that government.

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There's probably alot of naive people who see "DHS" and take it for face value.